Kids’ Sleep Deficits Can Increase Body Fat, Obesity

Emerging research suggests sleep deficits during infancy and early childhood can increase body fat and obesity for children by as early as age seven.

As noted in the journal Pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) investigators found that insufficient sleep during any period of childhood can influence obesity.

“Our study found convincing evidence that getting less than recommended amounts of sleep across early childhood is an independent and strong risk factor for obesity and adiposity,” said Elsie Taveras, M.D., M.P.H., chief of General Pediatrics at MGHfC and lead author of the Pediatrics paper.

“Contrary to some published studies, we did not find a particular ‘critical period’ for the influence of sleep duration on weight gain. Instead, insufficient sleep at any time in early childhood had adverse effects.”

While several studies have found evidence of an association between sleep and obesity in young children, few have examined the effects of constant sleep deprivation across time or used measures other than body mass index (BMI), which determines obesity based solely on height and weight.

The current study analyzed data from Project Viva, a long-term investigation of the health impacts of several factors during pregnancy and after birth.

Information used in this study was gathered from mothers at in-person interviews when their children were around six months, three years, and seven years old, and from questionnaires completed when the children were ages one, two, four, five, and six.

Among other questions, the mothers were asked how much time their children slept, both at night and during daytime naps, during an average day.

Measurements taken at the seven-year visit included not only height and weight but also total body fat, abdominal fat, lean body mass, and waist and hip circumferences — measurements that may more accurately reflect cardio-metabolic health risks than BMI alone.

Curtailed sleep was defined as less than 12 hours per day from ages six months to two years, less than 10 hours per day for ages three and four, and less than nine hours per day from age five to seven.

Individual children were assigned a sleep score covering the entire study period — from zero, which represented the highest level of sleep curtailment, to 13, indicating no reports of insufficient sleep.

Overall, children with the lowest sleep scores had the highest levels of all body measurements reflecting obesity and adiposity, including abdominal fat, which is considered to be particularly hazardous.

The association was consistent at all ages, indicating there was no critical period for the interaction between sleep and weight.

Lower sleep scores were more common in homes with lower incomes, less maternal education and among racial and ethnic minorities; but the association between sleep and obesity/adiposity was not changed by adjusting for those and other factors.

While more research is needed to understand how sleep duration affects body composition, Taveras said, potential mechanisms could include the influence of sleep on hormones that control hunger and satiety.

Additionally, the disruptions of circadian rhythms or possible common genetic pathways may influence both sleep and metabolism.

Finally, limited ability to make good decisions on food choices and eating behaviors caused by sleep deprivation, or household routines that lead to both reduced sleep and increased food consumption, can all be contributing factors for adiposity and obesity.

Insufficient sleep may also lead to increased opportunities to eat, especially if time is spent in sedentary activities, such as TV viewing, when snacking and exposure to ads for unhealthy foods are common.

“While we need more trials to determine if improving sleep leads to reduced obesity,” Taveras said, “right now we can recommend that clinicians teach young patients and their parents ways to get a better night’s sleep — including setting a consistent bedtime, limiting caffeinated beverages late in the day, and cutting out high-tech distractions in the bedroom.

“All of these help promote good sleep habits, which also may boost alertness for school or work, improve mood, and enhance the overall quality of life.”

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Rick Nauert PhD

Dr. Rick Nauert has over 25 years experience in clinical, administrative and academic healthcare. He is currently an associate professor for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals doctoral program in health promotion and wellness. Dr. Nauert began his career as a clinical physical therapist and served as a regional manager for a publicly traded multidisciplinary rehabilitation agency for 12 years. He has masters degrees in health-fitness management and healthcare administration and a doctoral degree from The University of Texas at Austin focused on health care informatics, health administration, health education and health policy. His research efforts included the area of telehealth with a specialty in disease management.